AI University Public Sector

A ten-week online learning module that gives you a firm grasp of the technical, legal and ethical foundations of artificial intelligence and their applications in the public sector, including algorithmic decision making.

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What will you gain?

On completion of this module, you will:

have developed a foundational understanding of how artificial intelligence works and an awareness of strengths, limitations, and challenges,
understand the role of public law in ensuring optimal use of algorithmic decision making (ADM) systems,
have gained applicable insights into the central positions and trends in digital ethics,
be able to identify the challenges and opportunities of AI and gain the ability to assist clients through knowledge and insight,
have had the opportunity and gained the confidence to engage with other professionals working in the field of AI,
have exclusive access to the Oxford LawTech Education Programme (OLTEP) alumni network,
have earned a personal certificate from the module that highlights their understanding of the topic.

Is this module for you?

The AI University Public Sector is designed for public sector legal professionals. It is also suited for policymakers and those who will engage with legal issues relating to artificial intelligence and algorithmic decision making in their profession.

The module is suited for professionals at all levels of experience and seniority who want to develop their skills and knowledge in the field of AI. No prior technical or legal knowledge of artificial intelligence is required.

If you are working not sure the public sector focus of this module is for you, then you may want to participate in the AI University Foundations module.

OLTEP is a non-degree programme of professional education operated by Oxford University Innovation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxford University, and directed by experienced Oxford academics. If you are looking for a formal qualification from Oxford University, please see the University’s website.

How will you progress?

Over the course of 10 weeks, you will complete these stages:

Module Orientation

Get to know the lecturers, the aims of the module, and how to complete it successfully.

Unit 1: The Lawyer's AI Primer

An accessible introduction to the computer science background of modern AI tailored specifically for lawyers or those with interest in legal issues relating to AI.

Unit 2: Public Law and Algorithmic Decision Making

Examines how public law might respond, how we might need to develop existing grounds of judicial review and how we might make use of legislation to enable law to perform this crucial task.

Unit 3: Digital Ethics

Introduces digital ethics as an academically rigorous yet profoundly practical discipline that gives you confidence to spot and solve ethical puzzles concerning simple as well as complex AI cases or scenarios.

Final Session

Consolidate your newly gained knowledge and skills in a final live session. Supervised by the lecturers, you will synthesise what you've learned during the previous weeks.

Certificate of Completion

Gain a personal certificate by completing a short Capstone Exercise anytime during the last three weeks of the module. Applies only to those who buy also the Capstone Exercise.

Download our brochure to learn more.

Module instructors

In this module, you will be taught by OLTEP Co-Founders

In addition to 5.5 hours of asynchronous lecture materials, these expert lecturers will personally conduct 4.5 hours of live sessions.

Tom Melham	Rebecca Williams	Vaclav Janecek
Professor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford and Fellow of Balliol College.	Professor of Public Law and Criminal Law at the University of Oxford and Fellow of Pembroke College.	Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol Law School and Associate Member of the Oxford Computer Science Department.

What is the expected time commitment?

The minimum expected time commitment is around 15 hours spread over the duration of the whole module or, on average, 1.5 hours weekly. This includes 5.5 hours of video lectures and 4.5 hours of live sessions.

That said, many participants choose to dedicate up to 20 hours in total to their learning (or around 2 hours weekly).

Our module handbook guides you through the module and provides advice on scheduling your studies, to make your learning as successful as possible. You will receive regular email signposts on the recommended progression journey.

While all parts of the module can be completed asynchronously, you will have the opportunity to participate in a number of live online sessions.

Here is an example of a schedule for the Cohort of 13 January 2026 (for which the registration is now closed):

Welcome live event	30 min	Tuesday, Week 1	13 Jan 2026 from 9.00am and 3.00pm
Unit 1 live Q&A with Prof Melham	60 min	Tuesday, Week 4	03 Feb 2026 from 9.30am and 3.00pm
Unit 2 live Q&A with Prof Williams	60 min	Tuesday, Week 6	17 Feb 2026 from 9.30am and 3.00pm
Unit 3 live Q&A with Dr Janecek	60 min	Tuesday, Week 8	03 Mar 2026 from 9.30am and 3.00pm
Final live panel Q&A with all three experts	60 min	Tuesday, Week 10	17 Mar 2026 from 9.30am and 3.00pm

These live sessions are held in the am and pm Oxford time slots, in order to allow participants to connect from any part of the globe. You would be expected to attend only one of these sessions on each date.

Those who buy the Capstone Exercise will also spend around 1.5 hours to complete it during the last three weeks of the module. More details about the Capstone Exercise can be found in the brochure.

Testimonials

Maartje Nugteren (International Policy Lead, Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation)

"I would highly recommend the course! ... [T]he module made me think about AI in a different way than I do on a day-to-day basis in my work."